History of EOIDEAST

The History of EOIDEAST

It's been more than 25 years since a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs created a network of likeminded peers to help each other learn and grow. Follow the evolution of EO below - from its beginnings as YEO and WEO - and discover how we grew into the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs.

Highlights

1980s – Early Beginnings

Young Entrepreneurs' Organization®

1987-1988

Verne Harnish and 22 former members of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs create "their own path" for continued personal and business growth; this organization eventually becomes the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO®)

YEO® holds its first official event in Nassau, Bahamas, with 57 members in attendance

1988-1989

YEO® opens its first office in Washington, D.C., USA, to manage operations

Andrew Sherman of Jones Day becomes YEO®'s legal counsel; incorporation papers are filed in the spring of 1988

1989-1990

YEO® is officially incorporated in November 1989

Birthing of Giants (now known as the Entrepreneurial Masters Program) is created as a continuing education opportunity focused on practical business management

1990s – Global Growth

World Entrepreneurs' Organization®

1990-1993

YEO® expands its reach with eight total chapters, along with joint programs with the USSR and China

Continued chapter expansion, especially in Canada, presents the need for a governing body for the organization; a Global Board of Directors is formed

Membership begins to expand exponentially as the "no borders" policy is developed to establish one truly international organization

The first international Forum training takes place, becoming the largest such session to date

1993-1996

YEO® teams up with Ernst & Young for the first "Entrepreneur of the Year" award

Several new chapters are launched outside of North America, primarily in Asia and Europe

YEO® receives its first grant from the Kauffman Foundation to help foster entrepreneurship worldwide

IBM becomes the first official corporate sponsor of YEO®

1996-2000

YEO® celebrates its 10th anniversary, while hitting the 1,000-member milestone

The World Entrepreneurs' Organization (WEO®) is created as a graduate program for YEO® members

YEO®'s membership increases by more than 35% to eclipse 2,775 total members

European expansion continues with the launch of six new chapters, including EO London and EO Amsterdam

The "Strategic Vision Statement" is created to drive the organization to be the "premiere, peer-to-peer global community, network and resource for entrepreneurs"

2000s – Becoming EO

2000-2004

The Forum program begins to more closely resemble its current state, with Moderator-training programs and higher-level experience-sharing being offered